A 14-year-old boy confessed to police that he deliberately started multiple wildfires.
He rode his scooter to forest areas and used matches to ignite blazes.
Authorities suspect he caused fires in Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela.
Motive and Investigation
Police said the boy acted out of anger over poor school results and social struggles.
They have not ruled out that he may have acted with others.
Officers launched an investigation after repeated fires struck the same regions.
Braga Judicial Police completed their inquiry and sent the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Family and Children’s Court will handle the case.
Arrests and Fire Response
By 20 August, authorities arrested 52 people suspected of arson, mostly in August.
Emergency services reported 97 fires burning on Friday morning, but most are under control.
Vinhais Blaze Remains Dangerous
The Vinhais fire remains active, threatening the area on three fronts.
Firefighters deployed over 400 personnel, 140 vehicles, and six planes to fight the flames.
One front remains hard to access, while authorities control most of the other two.
Weather and Risk Alerts
Falling temperatures have helped firefighting efforts, with highs of 32°C and lows of 14°C.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere warned of maximum wildfire risk across interior and southern regions.
